The bottom line when it comes to the swaps I organize is "Have Fun!!" Really simple!
It doesn't matter what the dollar amount of the fat quarters is, what does matter and what some fail to see as being important in a swap is that someone took the time and made the effort to choose those fat quarters for their person!
Yes there are tonnes of online shops to buy from, but some people, myself included don't do credit cards, so buying online presents a problem, unless they wish to mail the money to the shop for the order. Today's economy doesn't allow some of us to be choosy, I have sewn for many years, more years than I care to remember, I have used quilt shop quality fabric, and I have also used Walmart fabric, I've even put them together in quilts....imagine that!! I have seen quilt shop fabric that was thin or thinner than fabric I purchased at Walmart. Our ancestors didn't have the luxury of buying quilt shop quality, yet their quilts are treasured.... Hmmm, I wonder why???
Swaps are done to have fun, and the fellowship that comes with being involved with others. That alone is worth more than any quilt shop fat quarter.